Caterham 'Pic' up Charles for 2013

Caterham announce signing of Marussia driver, no word on future of Kovalainen or Petrov

Fri 23.11.12, 11:11PM

Charles Pic will join Caterham from Marussia for 2013 and beyond, a move that puts the drive of either Heikki Kovalainen or Vitaly Petrov at risk.

I know how determined the team is to keep progressing and I am looking forward to playing my part in helping them move up the grid.
Charles Pic

“I am very excited about starting my second year in F1 with a team that has so much potential,” said Pic of the move. “Caterham has everything in place to help it move into a position to fight with a number of teams ahead. I know how determined the team is to keep progressing and I am looking forward to playing my part in helping them move up the grid."

Caterham team principal Cyril Abiteboul said the team has been keeping tabs on the young French driver for some time.

"Throughout the 2012 season we have been monitoring the progress that Charles has made, challenging us on several occasions in qualifying, and it is clear that he is a special talent,” he said. “As the year has progressed he has performed extremely well against a very experienced team-mate and we are looking forward to seeing him develop further within the environment we will provide in 2013 and beyond.

“We are all looking forward to working with a young driver who has clearly shown in his first season in F1 that he has the pace, racecraft and demeanour to help us achieve our goals.”

Being able to make this announcement before the end of the current season gives us the chance now to allow Charles and the team to prepare fully for the 2013 season and quickly learn how to maximise the performance benefits of the Renault Sport F1 and Red Bull Technology powertrain that will be new to him.”

Pic’s signing has, however, placed further question marks over the future of Vitaly Petrov and Heikki Kovalainen at the Leafield team.

Neither has been confirmed for next seasons and rumours have linked Dutch test driver Giedo van der Garde with a step up to the team’s second race seat.